Adjustable support for chair or the like object



Jan. 26, 1960 c. e. NG 2,922,467

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR CHAIR OR THE LIKE OBJECT Filed Nov. 26, 1957 INVENTOR. CLIFFORD 6. N6

BY @LQ W TORNEVS United States Patent ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR CHAIR OR THE LIKE OBJECT Clifford G. Ng, San Mateo County, Calif. Application November 26, 1957, Serial No. 698,954

2 Claims. (Cl. 155-194) This invention relates to supporting means for a chair seat or the like object. More particularly this invention relates to a support frame that can be rapidly attached and detached with respect to an object by snap-lock connecting means, thus obviating the need for additional or auxiliary fastening means, such as separate clamps, bolts, nuts, rivets, screws and the like, which heretofore commonly were utilized for fixedly securing a support frame to a chair seat or the like object.

-With respect to certain types of chairs in which the seats are made essentially of rattan, and which commonly are known as basket chairs, it has heretofore been customary to secure the supporting leg structure to the chair by using auxiliary fastening means of the type above set out. Such auxiliary fastening means require time consuming attaching operations both initially, when the supporting structure first is secured to the chair, and subsequently, when such supporting structure is removed from the chair to allow storage thereof in the smallest possible space if it is contemplated that the chair will not be used for some time.

It is desirable, therefore, that rapidly attachable and detachable chair supporting means he made available so that the chair manufacturer or the purchaser may rapidly and easily attach the supporting means to the chair and yet may rapidly detach the supporting means from the chair if it is desired to transport the chair or to store the chair for a certain period. The fact that the supporting means may be rapidly attached to the chair is of importance in that it is customary, for economic reasons, to have the chair seats manufactured in countries foreign to the United States. Such chair seats are imported into the United States, and generally separate frame supports .are manufactured domestically for attachment to the chairs. The seats and the supporting frame structure generally are sold as unattached units, thus leaving it up to the purchaser to assemble the supporting frame structure and the chair.

It frequently heretofore has been necessary for the seller to provide clamps, nuts, bolts and the like for use by the purchaser in fixedly securing the chair seat and supporting frame together. The present invention provides a chair supporting frame structure which may be rapidly attached to a chair by the purchaser without using auxiliary fastening means.

In applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 614,237, filed October 5, 1956, for Chair or the Like Object, and Support Therefor, now Patent No. 2,890,744, granted June 16, 1959, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, support means embodying a principle of the invention hereof is disclosed and claimed. The supporting frame structure of the co-pending application initially is assembled as an integral, non-separable unit which is attachable to a chair of a predetermined size with a snap-lock connecting action made possible by upwardly extending lugs formed on the support frame. The supporting frame structure of the co-pending application is highly satisfactory in that it may be rapidly at- 2,922,467 Patented Jan. 26, 196i) tached to and detached from a chair seat by the purchaser of the unit.

However, the support of the co-pending application, since it comprises an integrally connected frame unit, is usable with chairs of essentially one size only. In addition, although the supports for chairs of the co-pending application may be nested for shipment or storage to conserve space, the unitary construction of such supports requires more space during shipment or storage in comparison to the. amount of space required for shipping or storing a like number of supports embodying the present invention.

Summarizing the present invention, which is an improvement over the invention disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending application, a rapidly attachable and detachable chair seat supporting means is provided which comprises several support frame pieces which are adjustably intcr-connectable to provide a stable supporting frame structure for chairs of the type described previously. The support frame of the present invention, because of its adjustable characteristics, is usable with chairs of various sizes, thereby allowing the manufacturer to produce essentially only one size support frame for use with various size chairs.

In addition, the support of the present invention may be easily disassembled and the various parts of several separate supports may be connected as a compact unit for shipment which takes up a minimum amount of space, thereby decreasing the shipping costs.

The invention thus has as its objects, among others, the provision of an improved adjustable snap-lock support frame for a chair seat or like object which is of eco nomical and simple construction for ease and economy of manufacture; which may be rapidly attached to or de tached from a chair by a person without requiring skill, auxiliary fasteners or mechanical tools; which may be used to support chair seats of varying size; and which may be disassembled and the various parts thereof connected in groups thereby requiring a minimum amount of space during shipment or storage.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a view looking at the underside of a basket type chair to which the multi-piece support frame of this invention is attached.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the assembled support frame attached to the body frame of a chair.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 33 of Fig. 1 illustrating the frictional biting engagement of the transverse rod of the support frame with an apertured plate of the support frame.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a plurality of U-shaped members or parts for chair supports positioned on a rod for shipment or storage.

Fig. 5 is an isometric View of a plurality of trans verse rods for chair supports strapped or tied together for shipment or storage.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, chair seat 2 desirably is of conventional basket type construction, including a frame comprising a substantially circular ring 3 to which is connected at downwardly curved, substantially arcuate rear frame member 4.

Inter-connected at the bottom of the chair between ring frame member 3 and rear frame member 4 are two substantially parallel spaced apart longitudinally extending side frame members or rails 6 and 7. Extending upwardly, from a location on rear frame member 4 lying substantially intermediate side members 6 and 7, to the top portion of ring frame member 3 is back frame mem- 7 her 8. Desirably, the respective members which are connected to form the chair frame are formed from sturdy and strong, yet resilient, material, such as bamboo rods. Interwoven strips of flexible cellulosic material, such as rattan 9, are connected with ring frame member 3 and rear frame member 4 to provide the supporting surface comprising the chair seat sides and back. Side frame members 6 and 7 and back frame member 8 cooperate with ring frame member 3 and rear frame member 4 to impart the requisite rigidity to the chair. The side frame members and rear frame member may be secured to ring member 3 by using rattan strips or may be otherwise secured thereto.

Multi-piece supporting frame structure 11 is of simple construction and is adapted for rapid snap-lock connection to and disconnection from the parts of the chair frame comprising side rails 6 and 7 and rear frame member 4. As shown in Fig. 2, support frame 11 comprises two substantially U-shaped members or parts 12, the extremities of which form a plurality of downwardly extending inclined legs 13 and 13. Desirably the legs are formed so that the rear legs 13 are either shorter than the front legs 13 or are formed with a greater angle of inclination relative to the bight portions 14 of the U-shaped members 12 than are the front legs 13. As a result, the support frame slopes downwardly and rear- Wardly, for a purpose to be set out hereinafter.

Desirably U-shaped parts 12 of the support are formed from any strong but bendable material, such as iron rods, but such parts may be formed from other metals or tubing having sufficient strength to support a human body. Each of the rods used is bent to form a U-shaped support part 12 of the type described. The bight portion 14 of each U-shaped part has formed thereon a front lug 16 and a rear lug 17. Desirably front lugs 16 are flat metal straps or bars somewhat curved to conform generally to the configuration of the outer sides or surfaces of side frame members 6 and 7 of the chair. Each lug 16 has an inner face 16' which faces and is opposed to the inner face on the other lug 16. Because of the flat configuration of the straps from which lugs 16 are formed, opposed faces 16 extend longitudinally of the chair seat for engagement with the longitudinal'side frame members 6 and 7.

Rear lugs 17 desirably are formed from metal rods bent into a hook shape corresponding generally to the outer configuration of rear support frame member 4 of the chair. Other materials and shapes for lugs 16 and 17 also may be utilized to produce a desired result. Lugs 16 and 1'7 extend generally upwardly from the support frame 11 with the hooks of lugs 17' desirably facing in a direction toward lugs 16. 'The lugs desirably are secured adjacent opposite ends of the bight portions of U-shaped parts 12 with a lug adjacent the top of each leg 13 and 13, in the illustrated embodiment the lugs are secured to the support frame by welding for purposes of economy and ease of assembly;

Referring to Fig. 3, a rear hook shaped lug 17 is shown secured to bight portion 14 of a U-shaped support part 12 by weld material 18. Connected to each of the U-shaped parts 12, and desirably depending from the bight portion thereof, is a plate member 19. Such plate member 19 may be secured to bight portion 14 in'any conventional manner but such plate 19 desirably is welded to the support. In the illustrated embodiment each of the plate members 19 is formedfrom a flat strip of metal bent into a substantially U-shape with the opposite arms 21 and 22 of the U secured on opposite sides of the bight portion 14 of the support part 12 adjacent the top of rear leg 13'.

Each plate 15' is transversely apertured; that is, the arms 21 and 22 of each U-shaped plate desirably are formed with transverse circular apertures 23 and 24, respectively, extending therethrough. Apertures 23 and 24:- are in alignment with each other to allow a rod to be slidably received therein. Each of the plate members 19 is similarly constructed.

Although plate 19 has been described as a substantially U-shapcd strip of material, the platecould take 4 other forms, such as, for example, a comparatively thick metal block having a single aperture extending transversely therethrough. Also, plates 19 could be secured to the support at locations other than as illustrated in the drawings. For example, a plate 19 could be secured to each of the rear legs 13' of the support adjacent the top thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a rod member 26 extends transversely between and through the apertures in each of the plate members 19, such rod 26 completing the multi-piece chair supporting structure 11. Rod 26 desirably is of circular cross section and may be formed from conventional iron, steel or the like bar stock having substantial strength. The exact size and shape of rod 26 may vary depending on the results desired and upon the size and shape of the apertures in plates 19.

Again referring to Fig. 3, rod 26 desirably is only slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of holes 23 and 24 formed in the arms 21 and 22 of each plate member 19. As as result, rod 26 is freely slidable through plate members 19 to allow adjustment of the support means prior to attachment thereof to the chair frame. Although rod 26 and apertures 23 and 24 are circular in cross section, other shapes also could be used.

Desirably engaged with rod 26 and surrounding the same adjacent its ends are non-metallic friction washers of rubber or plastic which tightly engage the periphery of the rod and preclude lateral movement thereof with respect to plates 19 after the rod initially has been positioned properly relative to the plates. One such washer desirably is positioned at each end of rod 26 contacting the outer arm 21 of each plate 19. While washers 27 are desirable to aid in preventing initial separation of the respective parts of the support means, such washers are not necessary in all instances but are desirable to facilitate connection of the support means with the chair. After the support has been securely engaged in snaplock fashion with the chair frame in the manner to be described, the washers may be dispensed with if so desired.

The support frame may be rapidly attached to the chair frame in the following manner: rod 26 is inserted through the apertures 23 and 24 in the plate member 19 secured to each of two laterally spaced U-shaped support parts 12. Depending upon the size of the chair to which the support is to be connected andthe spacing between outer surfaces of the side frame members 6 and 7 thereof, U-shaped parts 12 are spaced a predetermined distance apart on rod 26' such that the distance between the opposed inner faces 16' of the laterally spaced opposed front lugs 16 of the respective U-shaped parts is slightly less than the distance between the outer surfaces of the chair side frame members 6 and 7. When the parts of the support have thus been properly arranged, a washer member 27 may be slidably engaged on rod 26 in engagement with outer arm 21 of each plate member 19, thereby assisting in maintaining the partsof the support in the proper relationship for attachment to the chair frame. 1

With the partsso arranged, rear lugs 17 are hooked over rear chair frame member 4 and one of the front lugs 16 is engaged over an associated side frame member of the chair. Thereafter, by urging the other front lug 16 outwardly by exerting outward force on the appropriate U-shaped part 12, such lug may be snap-locked into position in secure engagement with'the outer surface of the other chair side frame member. Because of the resiliency of the frame members 6 and 7, and the limited resiliency of the U-shaped support parts 12, the lugs 16 thus may be tightly embraced with the respective side frame members'fi and 7 of the chair seat. Final adjustment of the support parts is possible, if necessary, after attachment thereof to the chair due to the'multi-piec'e construction of the support frame 11.

Although rod26 initially is freely slidable'through the apertures 23 and 24 of plate members 19, upon lateral tilting movement of legs 13 and 13' of U-shaped parts 12 away from each other relative to rod 26, plate members 19 become tilted or canted with respect to the axis of rod 26. As a result, as is shown in Fig. 3, opposite upper and lower portions of holes 23 and 24 frictionally and bitingly engage rod 26 at spaced locations, thereby precluding inadvertent transverse movement of the rod through the plates after the support has been adjusted to the chair frame.

As the support means is connected with the chair frame and U-shaped parts 12 thereof held stressed away from each other, each of plates 19 is somewhat tilted relative to rod 26 thereby insuring proper engagement of the respective parts of the support and precluding inadvertent separation of the support parts during movement of the chair. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, because of the lateral diverging relationship of the legs 13 and 13', when weight is put on the chair support, such as by a person sitting in the chair, the plates 19 tend to tilt to a greater degree with respect to the axis of transverse rod 26, thereby increasing the frictional biting contact of the edges of apertures 23 and 24 of plate members 19 with the rod. As a result, as weight is put on the chair, the respective support parts are more tightly interengaged thereby decreasing the possibility of inadvertent separation thereof from the chair.

The support may be quickly detached from the chair frame merely by reversing the procedure set out above. As a result, if desired the owner of the chair may quickly remove the support to allow the chair to be stored in a minimum amount of space when the chair is not to be used for a certain period.

As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of U-shaped parts 12 may be rapidly and compactly assembled for shipment or storage merely by sliding the parts 12 onto one of the rods 26 and maintaining the parts in place on the rod by any conventional means, such as by using washers 27 to preclude movement of the parts along the rod. The remainder of the rods 26 which are needed to complete a plurality of support frames for chairs may be compactly secured together for shipment as is shown in Fig. 5. Any conventional strap means or similar fastening means 31 may be used to secure the rods 26 together. In this manner a plurality of support frames may be secured together compactly thereby requiring the minimum amount of space during shipment or storage.

Lugs 16 and 17 desirably are arranged in polygonal relationship with one lug desirably positioned adjacent the top of each of legs 13 and 13'. In other words, the lugs form the corners of a polygon formed by imaginary straight lines extending between adjacent lugs. This polygonal relationship of the lugs imparts rigidity to the support when it is attached to the chair seat. Although four such lugs are most'advantageously employed in the desirable embodiment of the invention illustrated, any other number of lugs greater than two arranged in polygonal relationship may be utilized, depending upon the character of the object to which the support frame is intended to be attached.

Although, as mentioned previously, auxiliary fastening means are not required to secure the support frame to the chair, if desired a small aperture (not shown) may be formed through each of the front lugs 16 for reception of a wood screw or other similar type fastener for engagement with the chair side frame members 6 and 7. Such auxiliary fasteners, however, are not required and would be utilized merely to insure non-separation of the support from the chair during rough handling of the chair.

As is shown in Fig. 2, and as mentioned previously, desirably the support is formed with rear legs 13 of somewhat shorter etfective length than front legs 13. A rearward and downward slope is thereby imparted to the support and also to the chair mounted thereon. Consequently the weight of a person sitting in chair seat 2 will cause a rearward thrust on the chair seat thereby maintaining firm engagement of rear lugs 17 with transverse rear frame member 4 of the chair. In this manner inadvertent separation of the chair from the support under load is precluded.

Desirably. to prevent scufiing or scratching of the floor upon which the chair support rests, each of the legs 13 and 13 is formed with a rubber or plastic tip 32 frictionally maintained in place on the end of the leg in a conventional manner.

The described chair supporting frame structure, while desirably usable with basket chairs of the type described, similarly could be utilized with other objects and the following claims should be interpreted in view of such other uses.

I claim:

1. The combination of a chair seat anda supporting structure therefor; said chair seat comprising two longitudinally extending side frame members and a rear frame member extending transversely of said side frame members; said supporting structure being adjustable whereby the same may be used for supporting chair seats of various sizes and comprising a plurality of separable pieces including two laterally spaced substantially U- shaped parts the extremities of which form a plurality of front and rear chair seat supporting legs, and a rod which extends transversely between said U-shaped parts and operatively connects the same, said rod being slidably adjustable relative to said U-shaped parts whereby the lateral spacing thereof may be modified to correspond generally to the distance between the chair seat side frame members before said supporting frame structure is attached to said chair seat, said U-shaped parts including transversely apertured portions adjacent the rear legs of said supporting structure, the apertures of said portions having substantially the same size and configuration as the cross sectional size and configuration of said rod whereby opposite ends of said rod are slidably received in said apertures, and a plurality of lugs extending upwardly from said supporting structure providing snaplock connecting means for attaching said supporting structure to said chair seat whereby the need for auxiliary fastening means is precluded, two of said lugs being spaced laterally from each other and having opposed inner faces frictionally engaged with outer surfaces of said chair seat side frame members, the remainder of said lugs being hook shaped and generally facing said first mentioned two lugs and being frictionally engaged with said rear frame member of said chair seat, said rod extending generally parallel to the rear frame member of said chair seat and closely adjacent thereto whereby said U-shaped parts and said rod may be held by a pair of hands for manipulation when said hook shaped lugs are engaged over said rear frame member during attachment of said supporting structure to said chair seat, said rod being frictionally engaged with said apertured portions of said U-shaped parts with the edges of said apertures bitingly engaged with said rod whereby the pieces of said supporting structure are precluded from separation when said supporting structure is attached to said chair seat, said supporting structure being detachable from said chair seat and the pieces thereof separable from each other for shipment and storage.

2. A multi-piece, separable and adjustable supporting structure assembly to be attached to a chair seat which includes a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members and a rear frame member extending transversely of said side frame members, said assembly being adapted for snap lock attachment to chair seats of various sizes and comprising a pair of separable substantially U-shaped parts and a separate rod which extends transversely between and connects said parts, the bight portions of said U-shaped parts being positionable generally parallel to the side frame members of a chair seat and said rod being positionable generally parallel to and closely adjacent the rear frame member of a chair seat when said assembly is engaged witha' chair seat, the extremities of said U-shaped parts defining pairs of front and rear chair seat supporting legs, said U-shaped parts being provided with transversely laperturedrod receiving portions on said bight portions adjacent the tops of said rear legs, the apertures of said portions. having substantially the same configuration and size as the cross-sectional configuration and size of said rod, said rod being slidably receivable through said apertures whereby said rod may be adjustably positioned relative to said parts prior to attachment of said assembly to a chair seat of a given size; the edges of said apertures being bitingly engageahle' with said rod to preclude lateral shifting thereof upon attachment of said assembly to a chair seat, said U-shaped parts including a pair of laterally extending lugs on said bight portions adjacent the tops of said front legs and a pair of longitudinally extending hooked-shaped'lugs on said bight portions adjacent the tops of said rear legs, said U-shaped parts being prepositionable a given distance apart sothat said laterally extending lugs may be snap locked on and frictionally engaged with outer surfaces of side frame members of a chair seat after said hook shaped lugs have been engaged with the rear frame member of such chair seat, said U-shaped parts and said rod being maintainable generally-in such pre-position by a pair of hands while said assembly'is snap locked to a chair seat whereby minimum adjustment of said assembly on said chair seat thereafter is required.

7 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 976,950 Tyner Nov. 29, 1910 1,338,486 Burdick Apr. 27, 1920 2,289,695" Bryant July 14, 1942 2,476,863 Hawes July 1 9, 1949 2,710,643 Wincey et al. July 14, 1955 2,763,318 Bertoia Sept. 18, 1956 2,764,228 Donohue' Sept. 25, 1956 7 FOREIGN PATENTS France Nov. 24, 1947 

